Washington (CNN) - As the Republican Party struggles with ways to attract more African-Americans to its party, one of their own former, African-American presidential candidates could throw a wrench in their plan.

Herman Cain insisted Monday he does not want to be called Republican for fear of being saddled with the "dumb things" Republicans have said in the past. Cain also said the black conservative movement is "different from the Republican brand."FULL POST

Washington (CNN) - It was hard enough getting one Democrat and one Republican to work out a compromise on expanding background checks of gun buyers.

Now comes the vote on whether the amendment by Sens. Joe Manchin and Pat Toomey can win Senate approval - the next step on the tortuous path of gun legislation in the aftermath of the Newtown school massacre.

(CNN) – Herman Cain, the former pizza executive who briefly led the pack of GOP 2012 presidential hopefuls, convened a gathering of conservatives Monday with the goal of devising a strategy to convince fellow African-Americans to join their movement.

Dr. Ben Carson, the Johns Hopkins neurosurgeon enjoying new popularity in the conservative movement, also met with Cain Sunday night, but was unable to attend Monday's meeting, held at the Willard Hotel in downtown Washington. A spokeswoman for Cain originally said Carson was attending Monday's gathering.FULL POST

(CNN) - The Supreme Court let stand New York's strict gun control law, rejecting an appeal Monday from a group of gun owners. At issue was whether the Constitution's Second Amendment provided a broad individual right to carry a handgun outside the home for self-defense.

New York's Penal Law 265.03(03) bans possession of a firearm in public - either openly or concealed - unless someone can show "proper cause" - beyond a desire for self-defense - to secure a carry permit.

(CNN) – Former Rep. Anthony Weiner, who in a repentant interview last week said he was considering a run for New York mayor, released a document Sunday detailing a plan to restore the city as a place for middle class families.

Paid for by "Weiner for Mayor," established for a 2009 bid, the document closely mimics a plan released during that campaign five years ago.FULL POST

(CNN) – Students in other countries assessing where to study abroad are increasingly scared of coming to the United States because of gun violence, the nation's top diplomat said Monday.

Speaking with CNN foreign affairs correspondent Jill Dougherty in Tokyo, Secretary of State John Kerry said he'd discussed the situation with officials there who said students felt unsafe in the United States.FULL POST

CNN: Iraq bombings kill at least 17, wound more than 120
A series of car bombings across Iraq on Monday killed at least 17 people and wounded more than 120 others, police said. The 17 attacks took place in Baghdad, Kirkuk, Tuz Khurmato and Hilla. Two of the bombings happened at a checkpoint to Baghdad's international airport.FULL POST